Hi Yall, I'm a newb to the forum and I'm afraid I need a bit of towing education. I have not done much towing except for some lightweight stuff (under 2000lbs).

I own a 2001 Super Crew, 5.4L V8, 3.55LS, and factory towing package. I compete in BBQ Competitions and am going to purchase a new trailer. The trailer will be a 6x12 dual axle with electric brakes and will have a smoker, 6' grill, storage unit, and coolers. When fully loaded, the trailer will weigh approximately 4500lbs. I know this isn't real heavy, but since I haven't pulled this much before, I am a bit nervous.

I will be purchasing a Prodigy brake controller for the trailer brakes. My questions are:

1. Do I need anything other than the brake controller?
2. When towing this can I be in OD at all or should I always just be in D? Most of my towing will be either flat or small hills. However, to get it home I will have to go up and down the mountains of Tennessee (Jellicho Mountain).

Any other towing knowledge you are willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

You need the 7 pin rear harness and the relays. All this should have come in the glovebox with the truck. Run it in OD unless it starts hunting, if it does that, hit the button.

 

Thanks. The harness and relays were in the truck.

 

The key is to try to keep the torque converter locked. The tranny will run cooler when it's locked. If it won't stay locked in OD, kick it out. Even in OD, when you hit a hill it will downshift - let it. You should get the feel pretty quickly. 4500# isn't much for a 150 to tow, especially with a 5.4.

I'd consider next time you get the tranny fluid changed, get a complete replacement and switch to a premium full synthetic ATF. It should run a bit cooler and the fluid can tolerate higher temperatures.

If you are ever by Joplin MO, holler, I'd like to try some of your BBQ.

 

Thanks again. I won't be getting the trailer until the end of May or first of June, so I will take care of that right before I go.

Ya never know, they have a lot of competitions in Missouri plus my dad lives just outside Columbia and I'm always willing to cook some BBQ.

 

I'm going to say that it is totally unsafe to haul the BBQ trailer unless it is to my place.

 

You should be fine with your setup and with the advice of the other fellas around here.

But, wow, send some BBQ up here man! We need it in upstate NY!

Good luck on your competitions.

 

Thank you. Last year was my first year doing the competitions and I faired pretty well. I managed to bring home awards in all but one of the comps I entered. I'll post some pics of the new rig in the What do you pull thread when I get it.

You might be surprised at how many good bbq cooks are in NY. Unfortunately none of them own a restaurant so you have to know them personally to get the good stuff.

 

Hey---BBQ Mike---do you ever get up to the Cleveland area? The Rib Burn-off or the Strongsville Rib Cook off---let me know so I can savor your cookin'.

Tim C.

 

I have lived in Ohio for 10 years now and have never made it up to Cleveland.

I haven't done any of the rib burnoffs. The comps I do, you are cooking 4 different meats at once, Chicken, Ribs, Beef Brisket and Pulled Pork. We have 3 comps here in Ohio but they are all down this way in Dayton (July), Cincinnati (Sept) and Nelsonville (Oct).